At this time of year, we begin to see more people seeking help from our health services for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory problems, triggered by colder temperatures and an increase in common illnesses circulating.
In this article we describe some ways to help prevent this and provide advice on what you can do if you become unwell.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) RSV is the virus causing many coughs and colds, which peaks in December and January each year.
Symptoms of RSV include a cough, sore throat, sneezing and a runny or blocked nose. It can also cause pneumonia and other life-threatening conditions in severe cases.
Usually, RSV infections get better by themselves, but they can become much more serious for some people, particularly babies and older adults.
RSV can be spread when someone coughs or sneezes. You can reduce you chances of getting it or passing it to someone else by:
- Cleaning toys or surfaces regularly
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
- Throwing away used disposable tissues as soon as you’ve used them
- Keeping newborn babies away from anyone with a cold or the flu
- Find out more about RSV here.
You should ask for an urgent GP appointment or use NHS 111 if you are worried, they are eating less than normal or have signs of dehydration, or they have a temperature.
You can check symptoms on 111 online (for anyone aged 5 and over) or call 111 (for children under 5).
NHS 111 can arrange an appointment at a local urgent care service. You can use some urgent care services without an appointment, but by using NHS 111 you can make sure it is the right place for you to go and keep your waiting time down. Find out more about local urgent care options here.
RSV Vaccine
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine is now available to help protect young babies and older people from becoming seriously unwell from RSV.
During pregnancy the RSV vaccine boosts women’s immune systems to make antibodies which are then passed through the placenta to help protect the baby from RSV, from birth onwards. The vaccine is safe for pregnant women, and it reduces the risk of a child developing severe RSV lung disease by 70% in the first six months of life, when they are most at risk.
The eligible cohorts for the RSV vaccine are:
- All pregnant women from 28 weeks pregnancy until delivery, however the optimal time to receive the vaccine is between 28 and 36 weeks.
- Older adults aged 75-79. This is a one-off vaccine rather than a seasonal one. People will remain eligible to come forward for the RSV vaccine until the day before their 80th birthday, but are strongly encouraged to take up the vaccine as soon as they are invited and protect themselves ahead of the December RSV peak this winter.
If you are currently pregnant there are several ways in which you can get the RSV vaccine this winter. You can:
- Visit one of the roving healthcare units across LLR. To view a full list of upcoming clinics, visit: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/vaccinations/how-to-get-your-vaccine/.
- Attend one of the open access vaccination clinics in the antenatal departments at either the Leicester Royal Infirmary or the Leicester General Hospital every weekday, 9:00am until 4:30pm, starting from Monday 16 September 2024.
- Alternatively, you can contact your midwife or your GP practice.
Older adults aged 75 – 79, can get the RSV vaccine this winter by:
- Attending their GP practice, once they have been invited.
- Visiting one of the roving healthcare units across LLR. To view a full list of upcoming clinics, visit: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/vaccinations/how-to-get-your-vaccine/.
To find out more about the RSV vaccine, visit https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/vaccinations/latest-vaccination-news/.
Using an inhaler
During the colder months people may also find their respiratory conditions, such as COPD and asthma, worsen. Using an inhaler correctly will make a massive difference to any asthma or COPD patient because it helps to ensure the medicine gets into the lungs, where it’s needed to work. This is important to enable people to manage their lung disease effectively, especially as the colder weather begins to set in, and reduce their risk of having asthma or COPD attacks.
Our seven-step guide focuses on how patients can improve how their medication is taken and also reinforces how important having the correct technique is to alleviate an attack, ease symptoms, and prevent requiring emergency hospital treatment.
We also encourage anyone with a lung disease to regularly book an inhaler review with their community pharmacy or GP practice, to make sure that they have the best type of inhaler for their needs and to confirm that their inhaler technique is correct. This is especially important in the winter months when there are more viruses such as cold and flu within our communities that can cause lung diseases to flare up, triggering an attack.
For more information and to access the resources available, please visit: www.leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/inhalers/.